Lost_one

Not yet. I would like to visit London properly first. Then i will go to Paris and Berlin.

It would seem city types everywhere are rude. I went to a place called Carros, Nice.

The title reflects me. What I was meaning with it was, that rather than expanding my understanding of others, it made me look internally at who I am and how my self image reflects out. So in effect, narrowing my mind or to put it another way, giving me focus. Although I have traveled further this year than ever before, seeing the bigger picture has had more of an effect on who i am and how i see myself. Does that make sense?

What i mean by my title is. In the last year, ive had the pleasure of finally traveling abroad. Ive visited the USA, Holland and France. The most important thing ive learned and something i found so surprising was. None of the countries were the way i expected. America seems to have a child like quality, which i cant really explain. Its just a feeling i couldnt get out my head as i traveled around. Holland surprised me, as i had the image of a very liberal country, But found it to be far more British stiff upper lip than Britain is. France surprised me the most though. In Britain the French have a reputation for being arrogant and rude. Well i can honestly say. Ive never meet a more polite and friendly people in my life. Although Yorkshire folk are quite close. Everytime i had to interact with someone, they said please, thank you and always said hello. I was only there for 2 days, yet at least a dozen people made effort to befriend me. If i had stayed longer, im sure i would have made some lifelong friends. The most surprising thing of all though, which is something i found in all three countries. They were just like me.

Wasnt talking about a Mad Max type situation. I was reffering simply to the things you yourself have refferanced. Sorry for any confusion. I just felt that the advice by the Prophet would also apply in this kind of situation.

Within the church, we are told to make ready for such events. What would be expected of us as church members in this kind of situation?

Im sure this has been asked a million times, but what would happen if oil suddenly dried up. I dont mean the long term effects, as obviously we would eventually come up with new ways to live without oil, but what about the short term effects of this? Think about it like this. An announcer on TV has just informed us that the oil reserve will run out in 1 month. After this, there will be no oil on earth, anywhere. Not even for military or government use. I would assume there would be a rush to fill cars and the like, which i expect would lead to some unrest and criminality. But once its gone, its gone and this type of behaviour will be pointless, although i expect some would continue, simply for the pleasure of it. After that, i dont know. Would it be a case of going back to the horse and cart for a time? Thanks

My friend lives about 100 miles south of the Bay Area and although she is not LDS, every woman in her church wear denim skirts, t-shirts and flip-flops. I always make fun and call it there uniform. They wear this at all times though, not just at church. The only differance is that at church, they wear a lace veil. Although that custom seems to be dying out.

A few things i would do. 1. I would consentrate efforts in select areas. North America and Western Europe. Only once these areas have been fully reaped, would i then expand slowly into other areas. South America and Eastern Europe. 2. As part of this consentration, i would have every ward building constantly manned by a pair of missionaries till around 9pm each evening. This would allow people to simply walk in off the street and be taught. This would bring people in that would be intimidated by going to a Sunday service and who dont want missionaries to come to there home. 3. Tracting would end. Members would be responsable for promoting the church. Firesides, Dances, Community projects, Picnics and basicly anything else that lets the public see members of the church in non-church centred activities. 4. More advertising on TV and Newspapers. Dont know if any of that would work well, But it would be better than what we have right now.

Oh my, that was funny.

That was really nice.

As far as my understanding of it. When i was ex-communicated, everything was taken away. Baptizm in the LDS church is basicly becoming a member of the church. When i was ex'ed i lost that membership, it became null and void. So its as though i was never a member at all. Well thats how i explain it to myself. Im probably way off.

I believe that although there will be a form of most things in heaven, i dont think it will be as it is now. Sports by there nature are competative. This can bring out alot of the negative aspects of human nature. Anger, jelousy and pride being some examples. I can see things like martial arts being very popular in heaven though. Judo and Wrestling especially. Oh and i think American football is a far better sport than soccer.

I hope so Maya. :)

While i have had a turbulant time of it and had wanted to leave the church many times, im fully aware that that is down to my mental health problems and has nothing to do with the church itself. It was just easy to blame the church, rather than accept my own short comings. I was ex-communicated because i commited adultery, which again is very much down to my mental health issues. Im not saying this to shift blame. I am fully responsable for my ex-communication. Im also fully resposable for my return to full membership.

Thanks guys. That was most helpful. Hugs John I know this is going to sound really stupid, But what is a general authority and is there any in the UK?

Im an ex-communicated member of the church. I know that i will have to wait at least a year or two before i will get re-baptized, But my question is. Who will make the final call? I dont mean Heavenly Father here, i know it will be him that ultimatly makes the call. I mean, is it my Bishop, Stake Prez or someone even higher up? Thanks for the help.

After reading this post, i went on youtube and watched, Standards with John Bytheway. That was very powerful. I really felt the spirit as well as getting a few laughs. It was great. Why have i never heard of this guy before?

Really? Why didnt someone tell me? Ive been doing so many bad things. I thought i had more time. Im not going to panic, im not going to panic. Ok John, breath. Thats better. What were you saying again? Oh yes, Jesus is here. Aaaaaaaagh! Runs into a dark corner, curls up and rocks slowly back and forth. Just incase your wondering. I did understand what you ment and agree with you, But i was talking about the second coming and judgement.

Hi there, As a fellow Porn Addict, i know where your coming from. I am more or less at the beginning of my journey right now. I threw away my porn collection about 7 years ago, But still cant get away from it. I relapse pretty much on a daily basis. I have just started the churches 12 step program and im seeing things in a new light. I have a very long way to go still, But i know with Gods help and the support of my fellow saints, i will get there. John

The title comes from an old t-shirt design. Its supposed to be funny. But i agree, we should be busy. Although my point was that we should be busy anyway. We should treat every year like Jesus is coming. Everyday infact. We should be busy because we love God and our fellow men, not because of fear.@Bodhigirlsmiles: In some cases, budists can be far more christian, than alot of christians. Budda taught very similar principals to Jesus. Peace and love are universal teachings by wise men, it would seem. I wonder why?

Ok this is a what if thread. Heres the situation. An angel has just come to you and has given you some insider info. Jesus is coming in one year, thats in 365 days time. So now you know. What would you do with the information? What would you do on a personal level? What about you family and friends or even your community? Im sure, unlike me, you would not be breaking out in a cold sweat and thinking your doomed. In all seriousness. I wouldnt change what im doing. Im not perfect, far from it infact. Which is kinda my point. If i suddenly started working really hard to be a good christian, i would be doing it for the wrong reasons. I would be doing it out of fear. I feel that, that would be a step backwards. I would continue to make progress at my own pace. I may not get as far as i would get through fear, but at least it would be all me. I want to progress through love of my Heavenly father, not fear of what judgement awaits me. I will be judged fairly and will accept that judgement with love in my heart and praise for my lord on my lips. Even if im walking into hell. One thing i would do however, is try to be more missionary minded. Knowing that i only have 1 year to save those i love, would drive me to stop making excuses and just get it done. Ok, your turn.

My name: Im excommunicated from the church, so im a lost one. My Avatar: Im a big kid who loves cartoons. I also like skulls. Plus Grim is really funny.

Ive tried medication. Ive found that other things have worked better. Goal setting seems to be my way of moving forward. This Addiction course almost seems tailor made for me.

Well after only one meeting, i felt i learned alot so would very much recommend it to anyone who has it in there area. Im actually going to read through the first 5 steps and then reread #6 before going on to #7, which is on Humility. In fact, im going to start a thread on it, once ive read it. Hopefully people on here will have things to say on it, that i have not thought about.Oh, on the subject of counceling. Ive gone through that already. It helped me to get where i am just now. I was housebound for quite a while and therapy and counciling really got me going in the right direction. What i need now is spiritual healing. An LDS councelor would be good and could help though. Not sure if they have that here, But i could try to find out.